Daily Thought - July 4, 2013/Gândul zilei - 4 iulie 2013 Continue to Remember Death, the Judgment, and the Resurrection There is only one future event that is certain for us all and that is death. Sooner or later, we all have to face this reality. Many holy teachers of our church have stressed the continual need to remember our death. St. Barsanuphius of Gaza gives the following perceptive advice to a brother: “Let your thoughts be strengthened with the remembrance of death, the hour of which is not known to any man. Let us strive to do good before we depart from this life — for we do not know on what day we shall be called — lest we turn out to be unprepared and remain outside the bridal chamber with the five foolish virgins.” Remembering the eventuality of our death helps us to not get attached to the treasures of earth — those things we cannot take with us. A Hymn from Friday Vespers of Memorial Saturday reflects: “All human things are vain, which endure not after death. Our wealth will not remain, our glory will not go with us upon the way; for when death comes, all these things will disappear. . .” Remembering our death inspires us to gain treasures in Heaven — things that have eternal value for us. Our memory will be eternal on earth and especially in Heaven if we spend our lives striving to attain the following: obedience to our God, kindness to our neighbors, and respect for our souls. In the hymns of Vespers, we see a contrast between the “human things,” which are vain and the “Heavenly treasures” gained by the Saints: “Supported by faith and made strong by hope, their souls united by the love of Thy cross, Thy martyrs, O Lord, destroyed the tyranny of the enemy and, receiving crowns of glory, together with the angels they make intercessions for our souls.” Along with our death, we must remember the inevitable Day of Judgment. Quoting Fr. Dimitrie Staniloae, “It is clear that it is not death in itself that scares a true believer, but the judgment of God, which follows death.” Remembering the judgment helps us to avoid sin and to work for virtues. It also helps us to remember the judge, our Lord Jesus, and to get on good terms with Him. These two things, the remembrance of our death and the Day of Judgment, are always stressed in the liturgical life of our church. The services of Holy Week continually allude to our own death and to the judgment that will follow. One of the most important Sundays of Great Lent is The Sunday of the Last Judgment. The following Hymn from the Vesper reads: “Alas, black soul! How long wilt thou continue in evil? How long wilt thou lie in idleness? Why dost thou not think of the fearful hour of death? Why dost thou not tremble at the dread judgment seat of the Savior? What defense then wilt thou make, or what wilt thou answer? Thy works will be there to accuse thee; thine actions will reproach thee and condemn thee. O, my soul, the time is near at hand; make haste before it is too late, and cry aloud in faith: I have sinned against Thee, but I know Thy love for man and Thy compassion.” But there is something else to remember — the remembrance of our future will not be complete without the remembrance of our own resurrection. The Resurrection of our Lord is present in every moment of our liturgical life in the Church. Every Sunday is a Pascha. Everything in our Church life is under the gladsome light of the Resurrection. The Church itself has entered into everlasting life, the Kingdom of God, which was opened with the Resurrection of our Lord. The Resurrection has destroyed death. Even though we do have to go through death (and judgment), it is only a door through which we must pass and thus, it is not permanent any more. It is followed by the resurrection and a new life: “O Christ Savior, we were but yesterday buried with Thee, and we shall rise with Thee in Thy Resurrection. We were but yesterday crucified with Thee; glorify us with Thee in Thy Kingdom” (Resurrection Matins). We should remember our past with repentance, but we should also remember the things to come. With fear and trembling, we must remember our death and judgment. But we should especially, with faith and hope, remember our resurrection. The Resurrection is not an event to be remembered only once a year, but continually. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Victorious, Living, and Resurrected Lord: “You descended from on high, O Merciful One. You endured burial for three days to free us from passions. You are our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory to You” (Tropar of the Resurrection). ~Fr. Cornel Todeasa
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 02:43:27 +0000